Annual 2018 SANE Survey of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

How SANE Nurses Conduct, Manage, and Store Patient Cases

This infographic displays the results of our 2018 SANE survey of 92 sexual assault nurse examiners conducted at the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice in October 2017.

The 2017 International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice in October 11 - 14 was an opportunity for the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) to come together to meet, talk about, and improve their practice. As attendees with a booth at the conference that displayed our EVA (Enhanced Visual Assessment) System for sexual assault forensic examinations, we wanted to liaise with nurses who work day-to-day conducting patient cases. SO we created this survey to better understand the challenges and workflow of sexual assault nurse examiners and see how we can improve the EVA System to better meet those needs. We wanted to understand how nurse examiners to their work, what tools they use, how technology is utilized, and what case sharing mechanisms were in place. Throughout the conference, 92 people filled out the survey, the results of which are contained in this report. At least one key learning was confirmed:

A majority of sexual assault nurse examiners take over 2.5 hours to document and transfer patient data.

Traditional sexual assault forensic examinations are extremely time-consuming. Recording patient history and documenting the patients and any injuries often takes up to 2-hours. Transferring collected patient information to storage or sharing files with law enforcement can take an additional 30 minutes. This is valuable time that forensic nurses could spend returning to their regular posts or taking on additional cases.

Case-sharing with law enforcement using physical files is not secure or reliable.

A large majority (57.9%) of case-sharing is carried out by transferring sensitive patient data onto a CD and physically handling that CD over to law enforcement for processing. Alternatively, SD cards, printed copies, or thumb drives are also used, whilst only 8.4% of the responders digitally share cases via email. Meaning it is difficult to securely track materials, access trails are difficult to audit, permissions cannot be granted on a case-by-case basis, and data cannot be revokes if required.

Multiple, separate documentation tools are used for forensic examination

Most nurse examiners have to use a separate digital camera, colposcope, and alternative lights source during the same exam. Whilst a digital camera is the most often used tool, it is rarely used by itself and is usually accompanied by an alternative light source and often with a colposcope as well. Meaning, a significant amount of time and resources are used to conduce exams and maintain up-to-date sexual assault forensic documentation tools.

Patient information is stored on paper/

Although many programs have integration Electronic Health Records into their programs, 59.8% of sexual assault forensic programs still use paper forms for history taking and patient records instead of taking advantage of online tools.

The survey shoes that forensic nurses are spending a lot of time on examinations with separate, unintegrated, and low-technology tools. An innovative tool that incorporates digital documentation, a camera, colposcope, and alternative light source within the one device can reduce paperwork, save time, and ensure secure and trackable case-sharing.

To see the infographic, visit our website: www.mobileodt.com/blog/2018-sane-survey-infographics/